Taz

Hi,
I got a lot of love from dz.com before I packed up my life in San Francisco and moved to South Africa in 2001... (http://www.dropzone.com/news/TayaWeiss-Followingherhe.shtml) I've been running around Africa ever since. Life has finally settled down for a little while so I have decent internet access and I wanted to say hi. I'm coming home to the States next month and staying till January--trolling for tickets to the holiday boogie as I type!

Can't wait to be in a place again where my accent isn't the weird one...

-T

There is SO much love. We all need a special helping of it now and then... catch this giant hug coming your way! Remember, whatever it is, This Too Shall Pass. I know it may not feel like that now, but the sun will keep rising and setting until you feel better, I promise. Let yourself believe that it's gonna be okay, and it will.

Big fat major worldwide love--T

Hey Suz,

You can tell it's time to quit when you think things can't get any worse! This necessarily means they have to get better. I was in your position a few years ago, had a truly horrible boss, and after I left in protest (with no new job to speak of) he eventually got what he deserved when others came forward and I spoke my mind. If nothing else, know that karma is on your side here.

You deserve to be treated with respect. You're not just stubborn, you're brave. Go for it!

-T

If you are what you eat/You become what you speak/Free your tongue and your spirit will follow/Free your spirit, who knows what could happen.

-Kate Rushin

You guys are awesome. It's so good to hear some voices of advice out there, especially from a fellow smaller person. Maybe I'll get to come out and play when I finally make it back to the US. Thank you! -T

Thanks for the advice!... wing loading is definitely a concern. My problem is that I weigh about 105 pounds, 107 after multiple cheeseburgers. Without weights I load my Crossfire 109 at only 1.2. How small can a canopy get before it becomes incompatible with others? I've been wearing 9kg of weights to load a 145 just enough that I can slave away on the front risers with good effect.

Thanks--T

I did my first CRW jump a few weeks ago and got completely hooked immediately. I only have about 7 or 8 of them... Now I'm like an addict fiending for more. Every weekend I beg the local CRW dawg to do a few jumps with me and trade some sitfly coaching
I live in South Africa and borrowed CRW gear is mostly rotational canopies--copy of the Rubus. If I'm serious about CRW and want to buy something, is the Lightning the way to go?

-T

The US (and specifically, the CIA) has routinely screwed up a lot of things. The question to be asking now about Iraq is not whether there should be a pre-emptive war, but what the effect would be if, having pushed the issue this far, the US suddenly backed off and put Iraq on the back burner.

Even more importantly, since the Bush administration seems bent on a war, the further question is: what happens afterwards? The reason it's important at this stage to have international cooperation is that the US can't (certainly by its record in Afghanistan won't) rebuild Iraq into a "beacon of hope" for the Middle East by itself.

Only after it's all over or if Saddam goes into exile will we get around to deciding whether things could have been handled better. I just hope a minimum of people lose their lives before we get to that point.

See-this is brilliant because the key is not to expect the world on one day. People somehow think that because Hallmark tells us to go into overdrive that you're a loser unless you're either romancing the love of your life or getting laid. Celebration is great when it's called for, but I'd prefer to be surprised by a romantic dinner with someone I'm in love with on a day when the pressure's off. That way at least I know it's genuine.

Sangiro, Thank you so much for your support. I have already gotten lots of incredible emails from skydivers all over the world, and it's impossible for me to describe how good it feels to know that this community is behind me. I'm just humbled and honored that so many people are willing to take a few moments to wish me well, or to buy raffle tickets. I also have to thank Steve Sanderson, the kind of friend who comes along once in a lifetime if you're lucky.
Africa is definitely a "continent silently under siege". The statistics are scary, but the people living with AIDS, poverty, and war are strong and determined. South Africa embodies both the hope and tragedy of this continent. It was only recently that apartheid was ended. A new multiracial democracy is in the making. I have no doubt that the many Africans working on the issues of violence and AIDS in this country are going to shape their own future and shape it well. I just feel honored to have the opportunity to contribute what I can to the effort. I feel privileged in many ways...privileged to have an education, to have the right as an American to dedicate my time to making the world a better place because I've never had to fight for my own survival or to experience famine or disease.
Skydivers are incredible people because we do have perspectives on life that are unique. We try to live every moment to the fullest. That's the spirit in which I'm going on this journey. Once you've felt the air at 14 grand, nothing is the same. Once I started to understand the impact of violence on people's lives through my work as a rape crisis counselor and a self defense teacher, my life could never be the same. I don't think I can change everything, nor would I want to as one person. But at this point in my life, I feel a calling to do my part, and I can't turn a deaf ear.
Thank you to all who are making me feel like this is the right decision! I hope to continue sharing my experiences as they unfold. And if you can, throwing a few bucks into the raffle will help me survive the year financially, and maybe win you some cool stuff!
Yours, -Taya

Hey Deva, it was cool meeting, jumping, and sharing avocadoes with you. The boogie was the most fun I've had in EVER...can't wait to do it again next year!
-Taya

Has anyone been skydiving in Namibia or South Africa? I'm thinking about going there to teach for a year, but I can't even get myself to think about spending extended time not being able to jump. I know there's one drop zone in Namibia and a bunch in South Africa. I'm wondering whether anyone has been to any of these places, what the scene is like, whether there are freeflyers there or just overland-truck-style one-shot tandems....? I have always wanted to live abroad for a year but since my happiness index is directly tied to jumping out of airplanes, I need some more info before I can make a decision. Thanks!

Pier Limited, www.pierltd.com, has one of the nicest web sites around. I've never bought a new rig from them, but a friend of mine recently did and had a great experience.

www.pierltd.com has one of the nicest web sites around. I've never bought a new rig from them, but a good friend of mine did and had a great experience.

Thanks, you guys are awesome. Elisa, I especially liked your short shorts suggestion :) I've never felt the wind on my legs. I'll just remember to be careful tucking stuff in. I'd hate to have my shirt all over my handles when I need them. I think if I just stop wearing the green gators on my arms over my red RW suit, I will start feeling better about fashion...
-T

I started freeflying recently and just ordered a jumpsuit that won't be ready for weeks and weeks. In the meantime, it's a little hard to sitfly in my spandex RW suit. I've been told to wear pants and a long sleeve shirt, but the one time I tried flying in regular pants, they were up over my knees when I was in a stand. Any specific suggestions for good pants that I can get before the Lost Prairie boogie (leaving next Wed.)? I am really tired of people laughing at my lack of style :) Don't know if it matters, but I'm pretty small--5' 4" and 110 pounds.
Thanks!